There was no change to arrangements for picking people up, with those collecting passengers asked to park in the car parks at each terminal, which cost £4 for 30 minutes.

Airport bosses said they listened to passengers in finalising the scheme, which includes arrangements for some passengers including:

- Blue Badge holders can be dropped off outside terminals free of charge

- Non-Blue Badge holders who have booked special assistance use the drop-off zone, where they will be able to contact the airport’s assistance firm OCS

Airport bosses say they scheme is meant to cut congestion around the departure lanes

- A resident permit scheme costing £30 a year is in place for commuters who use the Airport Station and need to be dropped off or picked up. Drop-offs are at the station but all pick-ups need to be at T1 Arrivals.

- All buses travelling to and from the terminals will be wheelchair accessible

- Private hire drivers will get a 40pc discount if they buy a £30 concession card. These cards are already in use for picking up passengers from Arrivals.

Manchester Airport train station (Image: Steve Fareham/ geograph)

More on the residents scheme:

Because the airport station serves as a main commuter hub for people living in nearby communities, these residents are entitled to free drop-off.

To apply for a permit, you have to live within certain postcodes to get free drop-off and pick-up.

The cost of the application is £30 for 12 months and will allow one free pick up and drop off per day.

Drop off will be at the Ground Transport Interchange and pick up will be at T1 Arrivals (maximum waiting time 30 mins).

The bus, which comes every 15 minutes, takes around five minutes (Image: STEVE ALLEN)

Free drop-off

So to the free drop-off option.

Drivers can also go to Jetparks 1, a car park near Terminal 2, where passengers can take a free shuttle bus to their terminal.

Holidaymakers can be accompanied if they need help with their bags - but there’s a time limit.

It means they can avoid new ‘kiss and fly’ fees.

The M.E.N tested a free drop-off to Terminal Two.

We found our sat navs didn't take us to the right place so following signs from Terminal 2 might be more helpful.

Passengers can get a free shuttle bus from Jetpark1 to the terminals (Image: STEVE ALLEN)

A marshal at the site is likely to be there as you park up.

You are welcome to take the driver along with you to the terminal - but be wary of a £25 charge for those taking over an hour.

The bus stop on site has rain cover and the shuttle comes every 15 minutes.

To get to Terminal Two, you first have to drive to the joint Terminal One and Three stop. Traffic-allowing, this should take around five minutes.

You are then three minutes from Terminal Two, with a walk to the Terminal taking around three minutes.

So the whole process should take no longer than 25 minutes, maybe more on a particularly busy day.

It means a driver should have time to accompany you.

You do have to leave time to catch your flight and be prepared for a short walk.

Staff we encountered were friendly throughout and passengers said they found it efficient.

Parking at Manchester Airport

If you choose to drive yourself to Manchester Airport, here are some factors to bear in mind.

The problems with unofficial parking firms working around Manchester Airport have been well-documented by the M.E.N - with some passengers returning to find their cars in a state , with a questionable mileage - or even missing. If the charging seems too good to be true then it probably is.